ANNOUNCEMENTS
This research includes to choose to go renewable energy—especially solar—if we want to address the pressing and compounding global energy issues, tackle climate change, and practice sustainable development. This dissertation, "Harnessing The Solar Dividend for Sustainable Tomorrow," introduces the legal, economic, and environmental issues involved with solar energy uptake, and investigates the possibilities and problems for solar energy growth in India.
Solar energy is a clean, abundant, and increasingly cheaper substitute for fossil fuels, and India has a great opportunity to harness this source of energy, as one of the countries with the most sunny days per year (250-300) and highest solar irradiance. Photovoltaics (PV) solar energy generation has come a long way in India; solar now represents 8.6 % of total installed generation capacity. Unfortunately, solar energy growth is currently stymied by issues including high upfront capital costs of PV systems; issues in regulatory authority; land-use conflict with existing and future agricultural land, and grid integration problems - limiting options of interaction and cooperation.
All types of solar technologies are explored and examined in their historical development, from early thermal applications to the invention of PV systems, including to legal frameworks impacting their uptake. Specifically, the progress of solar externally, was sustained by international agreements such as the Paris Agreement, and the bolstering by international agencies that were formed, [most importantly the International Solar Alliance (ISA)]; and internally, by federal level policies such as the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), and State level policies in various states—but conflicts still remain and include rights zoning ordinances, zoning definitions as 'holding locations' for energy states, permitting and unpredictability of the permitting process, and energy inequality.
The main highlights illustrate the socio-economic and environmental benefits of solar energy. The development of solar energy has benefits such as job generation, reductions in carbon footprints, and energy independence, among others. For instance, solar installations can result in 1,500 tons of CO₂ savings per year for every megawatt compared to coal; the further down we go in the fossil fuel supply chain, the more positive the net result! Even with all the positives, there are challenges/value gaps to be overcome.
Like all sources of energy, solar incurs challenges related to intermittency; storage and recycling solar panels are challenges as well. Innovative solutions are needed here too, e.g., agrivoltaics, advanced batteries.
This dissertation is also grounded in case study analysis of solar leaders China, Germany, and the U.S. to provide other examples and opportunities during solar transition for India. Germany, for example, has adopted advanced innovations such as feed-in tariffs and community (decentralized) solar installations. China has also become a world leader in solar manufacturing, but we must now consider how to create a domestic "solar socio-political-economic ecosystem" to further realize solar's potential in India.
Overall, to unlock barriers, the study proposes actionable solutions that include: reducing permitting processes, equitable access policies, public-private partnerships, and long-term stable incentives. Overcoming these obstacles will enable India to maximize the potential of solar energy to achieve more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future energy systems.
In sum, the transition to solar energy is not only a technological shift but a socio-legal shift as well. To leverage this "solar dividend," strong policies, collaborative communities, and cooperation within global societies are paramount to enable a cleaner, more sustainable, and brighter future for all.
